I think winter has come to an end here in NYC. But during the cold times we have had, as I walk home all bundled up with my numb face, I see so many couples. They all seem like lucky little squirrels that found their nuts for the winter. I was chatting with my best guy friend and we were both hoping to have boyfriends by the winter. If anything, just have that body warmth to cuddle with in the sub-zero temperatures. Now we’re looking to find guys before the summer!
I think back to when I lived in the South. Was dating easier there or is it just so different in NYC that I can’t even compare? I wonder if I had stayed in TX or FL where my life would be sometimes. Had I stayed in TX I wouldn’t be surprised if I would be married, and possibly, bite my tongue, kids. But, I would never have lived my life for me. I wouldn’t have explored my dream to live in NYC. I saw “How to be Single” over Valentine’s weekend and I am definitely doing it right. Living the single life right that is. Like in the end, one day you turn around and it’s done. When will it be done for me? I feel like I am putting myself out there and I definitely don’t have desperation slapped across my forehead because I am completely content being single. I feel ready though. Ready to share my life with someone and learn and grow together.
While I was home in Florida for Christmas I decided to not cut off dating completely. I buzzed around Bumble to see what types of guys FL Bumble had to offer. At first I had no matches, which I found bizarre. Then I realized my mileage was set to 1-2 miles. Perfect for NYC to remove the Jersey Boys and Lawng Islanders but definitely not reasonable in Florida, and almost too creepy close. After expanding the 30 miles the swipes started coming in. See below for some entertaining ones. Pick up lines courtesy of my niece on Christmas Eve.
Not only did I buzz around Bumble but I also went on two dates.
Date number one was at Kona Grill. It probably wasn’t a date but any context in where there is a guy, a girl, conversation and he pays can technically be considered one. It was a post work meet up for happy hour drinks and sushi. I couldn’t have as many mojitos as I would’ve liked because I had to drive home. This is definitely a pro and con of the south. Pro: You have to drive so you can’t consume that much alcohol. This prevents stupid decisions. Con: You have to drive so you can’t consume that much alcohol. This limits your intake of alcohol that you might want to consume. Especially, when prices are happy during happy hour. I can’t recall much of the conversation and he gathered the bill while I used the restroom. I thought we would meet up another time while I was there but I think I decided that if I did live in Florida, this Tampa man would just be a friend. He didn’t seem to have the ability to let loose and made himself out to be “too adult” to have fun.
Date number two was with someone I was supposed to go on a blind date with about five years ago. We finally made the date happen. Again, not sure if it was a “date” per se but it was a guy, a girl, conversation and him paying for the bill. He has a fantastic job these days and a fantastic personality. We had a great dinner on the water at Island Way Grill and then went and watched the TCU bowl game. Two of my favorite things: waterfront views and football. I ended up creating him a profile on Bumble. Once this is was done I completely lost him in all the swipes, rightfully so. He needs someone that lives in Tampa area. As much as he and my family want me to move back, I probably won’t. But, if I did live in Tampa, this would be a strong Bachelor contender.
At the end of February, my company sent my team on a retreat to Austin, TX. I was so excited to go back to Texas! First off, to end last entry’s story of “Texas our Texass.” Never saw him. He completely ignored my texts and I drunkenly told him how bad he is at communication. To resurrect another story – LA Guy was there. It really did bring back all the emotions I felt when we first met. I didn’t necessarily miss him. I missed the emotions. All of those stirred up in me caused a lot of stress and my body reacted. I bit my fingernails until they bled and my mouth pain that occurs when I’m super stressed happened. I acted civil when I saw him. A hello. A hug. Chatter about basics like life, apartments, what’s new. Nothing life changing. He wasn’t pleased that I had told people about us, but oh well. I wasn’t pleased about the way he had treated me in the past.
While in Austin, I didn’t go out on any Bumble dates. I did meet some fellas at the bars. I went up the weekend before the retreat and my cousin and I hit up Rainey St. At Lucille’s two guys started talking to us and mine ended up being a 23-year-old punk that just wanted to take advantage of me on his brown leather (quite nice) couch. No thank you, sir. I Lyfted right out of there. Then one of the nights I was out with my team, I met a guy at The Lodge and then ended up hanging out with him and his friends after I lost my coworkers. Another instance where I have to Lyft myself on out. One of the guys got me an Uber and then promptly canceled it the minute I got in it. What a loser. I record this trip in Austin was a completely fail.
There was one guy from the past. We have been friends for 10 years. When we were 19 we used to make out for hours. Cute right? I really enjoyed him carving out some time from his busy schedule to meet up not once but twice with me. He’s super active on the dating apps in Austin so I doubt he would still be single by the time I move to Austin but he is definitely a strong Bachelor contender if I were to ever move there and the timing was right for us, which it never was in the past.
I came back to NYC and promptly left swiped a guy who had all his profile pics of him on a roller coaster. The ups and downs of dating are in full force in NYC and down south. Perhaps one day the South will rise again. In the meantime, I’m playing the game of swipe, swipe, goose back in NYC.
Drink Pray Swipe © 